A Reader on a Journey: “Thru-Hiking Will Break Your Heart” by Carrot Quinn

For my 2019 writing challenge and in preparation for the Pacific Crest Trail in 2020, I am spending the entire year reading and writing about books focused on a journey. For my fourth book, I dove into “Wild by Nature” by Sarah Marquis.

Knowing Too Much

“Thru-Hiking Will Break Your Heart” by Carrot Quinn reads like a turn by turn description of the Pacific Crest Trail. So much so, that at one point in the middle of the book I was fearful of knowing too much. Now, I know reading about a trail is much different than experiencing it first-hand. There are still plenty of surprises waiting for me between Mexico and Canada, but the last year has been about getting ready not spoiling the journey. With that said, moving forward I am going to spend a little less time reading and watching stories about the trail. I am confident in what I know, and I am ready for what I don’t to force me into earnest adaptation.

Changing Climate

The Pacific Crest Trail can be broken up into five sections: The Desert Region of Southern California, The Sierras, Northern California, Oregon, and Washington. Most thru-hikes tackle this journey between April and September, which means if you are heading northbound you will encounter extreme heat in the desert, snow and…